The Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the monarch Britain in London . The palace is used for ceremonies and state visits, sightseeing and as a residence by Queen Elizabeth II , and is also the headquarters of the royal collection of art ( Royal Collection ), whose main jewels are exhibited to the public. The palace is a meeting point for the British in times of crisis and celebration. "Buckingham Palace" or simply "The Palace" is also a common way of referring to the power of press releases from the British royal family (see also metonymy ).